‘Turkey Neck.’ We all experience it. Your neck will show how old you are, regardless of how young you manage to maintain your face. When we look older, our neck and decolletagé area are among the places that can display wrinkles and fine lines the most. Many of us neglect to apply skincare products and treatments to our necks, making it one of the most frequently overlooked areas.
This is harmful since our neck skin is three times thinner than our face skin, making it more vulnerable to early ageing. Additionally, it lacks the regenerative capacity necessary to recover from harm.
Excessive UV exposure and over-sensitization from perfume spraying are the main environmental elements that cause our necks and décollettes to age prematurely. Therefore, read on to learn more about how to lose the skin under your chin.
What Causes Sagging Neckline?
1. Growing Older
The neck's skin loses elasticity and collagen as we age. This causes the neck's skin to become thinner and less flexible, which results in wrinkles. Neck drooping is also a result of decreased skin thickness and fat.
2. Loss of Weight
Excess skin can be left behind after significant weight loss. This is particularly apparent in places where the skin may not wholly retract after losing underlying fat, such as the neck. The skin around the neck becomes loose and drooping.
3. Exposure to Sunlight
Long-term sun exposure can accelerate the breakdown of collagen and elastin, speeding up the skin's ageing process. The neck is especially susceptible and is frequently overlooked in sun protection routines.
4. Smoking
Smoking not only causes significant health issues but also lowers collagen formation and limits blood supply to the skin. This causes the skin to sag and age prematurely.
5. Bad Posture
Persistently lousy posture can result in drooping and horizontal wrinkles over time. This is particularly prevalent in the digital era when people regularly bend their necks to gaze at devices. The problem is so severe that it is called ‘tech neck.’
6. Environmental Aspects
Long-term exposure to chemicals and pollution can accelerate the ageing process and cause the skin to become less elastic. This may result in neck drooping and fine lines or wrinkles.
Non-Surgical Treatments for Sagging Neckline
As we age, the delicate neck skin likewise loses firmness and elasticity, giving the appearance of sagging. Fortunately, there are highly effective nonsurgical methods for tightening the neck, restoring a youthful appearance, and making the skin healthy.
These methods have been proven to deliver significant results for saggy neck treatment, reassuring those seeking noninvasive solutions.
Best Non-Surgical Procedure for Neck Tightening
1. Ultherapy
A non-surgical cosmetic procedure called Ultherapy, sometimes called Ulthera, tightens the skin around the face and neck. This FDA-approved ultrasonic treatment reduces wrinkles and fine lines by gradually lifting the skin on your chin, brow, and neck.
Ultherapy uses micro-focused ultrasound to treat the skin's outermost layers at significantly lower energy levels. A smooth applicator and ultrasound technology target the body's natural collagen and promote the formation of new collagen fibres.
However, it can also cause temporary redness, swelling or tenderness. You can also experience slight bruising or numbness, but the side-effects do not last long. A typical session of Ulthera for the neck costs around $1,500 to $2,500.
2. Radiofrequency (RF) Therapy
Radiofrequency skin tightening machines promote collagen remodelling by applying controlled heat to the skin's deeper layers. This reduces laxity and increases skin firmness with little discomfort. There are primarily 2 types of RF therapies:
Thermage(Monopolar RF): It uses an electrode that sends radiofrequency radiation into the skin to cause collagen production and tighten the skin. Thermage works exceptionally well for mild to moderate sagging in the neck, costing around $1,500 per session.
Exilis (Bipolar/Multipolar RF): It uses more electrodes and thus tends to be a safer, more focused course of therapy. RF plus ultrasound enhances texture and tone, along with increasing firmness. It can cause mild redness but only for a few hours. A typical session could cost around $1,000 to $2,500.
3. HIFU
High-intensity focused Ultrasound, or HIFU, is a non-invasive method of treating facial ageing. This technique is part of a growing trend toward noninvasive anti-ageing therapies that offer numerous benefits.
Because it doesn't involve surgery and has a quick recovery time, this cutting-edge, non-invasive facelift technique is preferred over the conventional invasive facelift. When carried out by a skilled and certified practitioner, HIFU is considered highly safe.
When you leave the surgeon’s office, you can immediately return to your regular activities, which is the nicest part of this treatment. There can be a slight redness or swelling, but it should go away fast. The treated area may continue to feel slightly tingling for a few weeks. In rare cases, you can get bruising or transient numbness, although these side effects usually disappear in a few days.
Hydrating Facials for Neck
Hydrating facials improve the skin's texture and preserve moisture balance, giving the neckline a smoother, refined appearance.
Oxygen Facial: An oxygen facial machine flushes the face with pure oxygen and serums rich in vitamins, hyaluronic acid, and antioxidants. This encourages
● hydration,
● boosts cell regeneration,
● and restores the youthful radiance of the neck area.
It is generally a safe procedure with minimal risks. An oxyfacial session could cost from $150-$300 per person.
Hydro Facials: Hydro facial machines use a vortex-fusion process to deeply
● exfoliate,
● cleanse,
● and moisturise.
They effectively remove dead skin cells, deeply moisturise, and enhance the texture of the neck with minimal side effects. A typical session costs around $200.
Chemical Peels: Lactic acid, glycollic acid, and chemical peels are great for
● enhancing skin tone,
● firming up the neck,
● and minimising minor wrinkles.
The skin appears renewed and revitalised, promoting exfoliation, boosting collagen formation, and addressing discolouration. You can experience flaking or peeling but it goes away after a few days.
Microneedling: It is a minimally invasive procedure involving tiny skin punctures with small needles. This encourages the body's natural healing process and boosts collagen and elastin production.
● Microneedling derma rollers improve texture
● tighten loose skin
● and lessen neck creases and lines
They can cause redness, swelling, or mild irritation that lasts up to 48 hours. Three to six sessions are recommended, costing between $200 and $700.
Minimally Invasive Neck Tightening Treatments
1. Botox
Botox is frequently used for anti-ageing procedures. While many of these procedures aim to smooth out facial wrinkles on the forehead, eyes, or even the mouth area, they can also be utilised to smooth out the neck.
Following a consultation, an aesthetician will perform several wrinkle injections around the lower jawline and the neck along the platysma muscles to determine whether Botox and fillers are appropriate.
By injecting in particular places,
● lifting the neck and jawline,
● realigning underlying muscles,
● and enhancing jawline definition
is feasible.
Like any cosmetic operation, Botox has dangers. It may cause flu-like symptoms, such as fever, nausea, aching muscles, and slight bruising and redness at the injection site. Botox treatment results might appear as soon as four days after the procedure and last more than five months.
Because the body metabolises the Botox chemical over time, the treatment has no lifetime warranty and requires regular maintenance to retain a youthful appearance.
2. Lipo Laser Devices
Laser neck liposuction is a neck tightening procedure that differs slightly from a neck lift. It targets extra fat cells beneath the chin to create a more defined and sculpted jawline. A neck lift, on the other hand, targets extra skin. An ideal neck lipo laser device candidate has a good tone but extra fat.
If your skin or muscles are loose, you must combine neck liposuction with a neck lift to completely rejuvenate your neckline.
3. Collagen Boosting Injections
Collagen-stimulating injections, like Sculptra, promote collagen production within the body to improve skin flexibility and tautness. They require little recovery time and typically cost between $800 and $1,500 per person.
This cost can vary depending on the sessions required and the clinic's location. Improvement occurs gradually over two to four months and can be maintained for up to two years following injections.
4. Collagen Induction Therapy
Collagen induction therapy, a treatment combining micro-needling and Radiofrequency, creates tiny micro-injuries in the skin to encourage collagen production and regeneration. Recovering from this treatment requires one to two days of mild redness or discomfort. The sessions cost between $300 and $600.
It reduces fine wrinkles and improves skin texture and firmness over several sessions. These techniques offer a youthful, revitalised neckline without plastic surgery, with no discomfort and long-lasting results.
Surgical Options for Sagging Neckline
1. Neck Lift Surgery
Cosmetic surgery procedures, like facelifts, are one method of permanently changing appearance and helping eliminate signs of ageing. They tighten and raise the skin to make it look younger.
The neck lift procedure involves tightening and elevating the skin around the neck to eliminate apparent indications of ageing, such as loose skin, wrinkles, and necklace lines. After this simple cosmetic procedure, patients can resume their regular lives in two weeks.
Haematoma (or blood buildup beneath the skin), scarring, infection, nerve injury, and an aesthetic reaction are all possible side effects of neck lift surgery.
2. Combination Procedures
For better results, a neck lift is frequently combined with other cosmetic operations, such as liposuction to remove extra fat or a facelift to address hanging skin in the surrounding areas. Combining procedures gives the neck and lower face a more harmonious and balanced renewal.
Natural and Preventative Measures
Neckline Exercises
Numerous neck exercises focusing on strengthening and tightening the neck muscles also help with an ageing neck. Although these workouts won't eliminate extra or loose neck skin, they can strengthen the muscles in the jawline and neck, which can help stop further sagging. Exercises on how to tighten neck skin naturally include:
1. Pushing Forward: Hold for 10 seconds while pressing your forehead against your hand without moving your head. Hold for 10 seconds while placing both hands on your head and pushing back with your neck.
2. Chewing: Sit upright and raise your head back until your chin points towards the ceiling. Then, chew with your mouth while keeping your lips closed. Repeat 20 times.
3. Kiss: Raise your head back until your chin points towards the ceiling while sitting upright. Repeat 20 times while keeping your mouth shut and pouting your lips as if you were kissing.
4. Lifting the Neck: Lie flat on your head over the edge of a bed or couch. Slowly raise your head as high as possible with your neck muscles, then bring it back down. Repeat five times over.
Lifestyle Changes: Do’s and Don'ts
Do’s
● Keep your skin supple and soft by drinking lots of water.
● To shield your neck from the sun's damaging rays, apply sunscreen.
● Keep up a nutritious diet high in vitamins, proteins, and antioxidants.
● To ease the strain on your neck muscles, adopt proper posture.
Don'ts
● Avoid smoking, as it speeds up the skin's ageing process and reduces collagen formation.
● Avoid drinking too much alcohol as it dries out your skin.
Choosing the Right Treatment: Factors to Consider
Numerous aspects must be considered while choosing the finest neck surgery or nonsurgical treatments. Here are some essential things to consider, ranging from your expectations to the time you are willing to recover. Remember to consult your cosmetic surgeon for the best possible choice.
● Reasonable Expectations: Although neck tightening operations can result in notable enhancements, it is crucial to have reasonable expectations. Individual characteristics, including skin tone, age, and general health, may affect the results.
● Recovery and Downtime: Nonsurgical procedures usually involve little recovery time, so patients can quickly return to regular activities. However, they may need to restrict their physical activity for a few weeks following surgery, using a laser skin resurfacing device or cryolipolysis device and recovery periods may be extended.
● Longevity of Results: The procedure and individual characteristics affect how long results last. While surgical techniques offer long-lasting advantages, non-surgical treatments sometimes need maintenance sessions to maintain outcomes.
● Potential Dangers and Complications: Like any other medical surgery, neck-tightening operations can involve infection, scarring, and adverse reactions. Before beginning treatment, reviewing potential risks with your healthcare physician is crucial.
FAQs
1. Will losing weight help turkey neck?
A turkey neck can be less noticeable if you lose weight, especially if it's brought on by too much fat.
2. At what age does your neck start sagging?
Most people begin to detect wrinkles or bands that indicate neck drooping between 40 and 60.
3. Where do you see the first signs of aging?
Dryness, wrinkles, age spots, and skin tone loss are typical symptoms of premature ageing. Usually, the thinner skin around our eyes, the neckline, etc, are the first areas where you start noticing the early signs of ageing.
4. What are the best neck wrinkle treatments?
● Laser Skin Resurfacing,
● High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Energy (HIFU),
● Radiofrequency Skin Tightening,
● Microneedling Radiofrequency,
● Botox,
● Dermal fillers, and
● Injectable collagen
These are the best treatments for neck wrinkles. They have shown proven results in tightening the skin, increasing collagen production, and minimizing wrinkles.
5. Are non-surgical procedures as effective as surgery?
No, non-surgical neck procedures are less effective than surgical neck lifts. On the other hand, they also provide natural results, little downtime, and costs a fraction of the money.
6. What can I do to prevent my neck from ageing?
● Clean every day.
● Apply and reapply sunscreen to your neck.
● Put on an antioxidant serum in the morning.
● Use a mild retinoid at night.
● Apply a neck cream
● Seek professional help.
Conclusion
Your skin thins with age, particularly around the neck. Although it's possible, but covering your neck with scarfs or high-neck can only take you so far. Surgical procedures are risky, expensive, and need lengthy recovery periods. To improve the appearance of your neck, choose nonsurgical neck lift techniques - like anti-ageing neck massagers, Botox, lasers, ultrasonic treatments, and more.
These safer alternatives are less expensive, take less time to complete, and produce results that look natural. To be on the safe side, see a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon before jumping into it.
